North Devon

North Devon's population grew in the 10 years leading up to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, marriage and health.

The population reached nearly 94,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of North Devon increased by 7.0%, from just over 87,500 to 93,700.

The addition of almost 6,200 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, North Devon was home to, on average, 0.61 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older North Devon

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of North Devon increased by two years, from 43 to 45 years.

This coastal area had a higher average age than the South West and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 3,400 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 1,000.

About 14% of people in North Devon are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and North Devon by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in rate of employment

North Devon saw the South West's third-largest rise in the proportion of employed people.

In 2011, just under one in two (50%) people aged 16 to 74 in North Devon said they were employed, compared with 48% in 2001. The percentage that were unemployed decreased from 3.3% to 3.0%.

Across the region, only Isles of Scilly (from 50% to 54%) and East Devon (from 45% to 49%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of employed people.

Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.

The rate of employment was lower than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that said they were employed across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Disability in North Devon

The percentage of North Devon residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.2% to 4.0% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

The percentage who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 7.1%, while the percentage of North Devon residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 90% to 89%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 3.0% in 2001 to 3.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in North Devon that rented privately increased from 13% to 18% between the last two censuses.

The percentage that lived in social housing remained close to 11%, while the percentage of North Devon households that owned their home decreased from 73% to 68%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 11% in 2001 to 17% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in North Devon increased by 5.2 percentage points

Percentage of households in North Devon, the South West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Relationships in North Devon

The percentage of married people fell in North Devon at a faster rate than in Somerset West and Taunton (the local authority area that shares the largest boundary with North Devon).

In North Devon, the proportion of married people decreased from 56% in 2001 to 52% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in nearby Somerset West and Taunton decreased from 53% to 51%.

Across the South West, the share of married people decreased from 53% to 49%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership in North Devon increased from 23% to 28%, while the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner increased from 11% to 12%.

The proportion of married people was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

↑ Back to the top

Area report data

Related links